G20: 14 U.S. SENATORS URGE TRUMP TO WITHDRAW PUTIN’S INVITATION
A bipartisan group of **14 U.S. senators, including both Republicans and Democrats, is urging President Donald Trump to withdraw his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit scheduled for December in Miami, Florida.
In a letter obtained by The Washington Post, the senators criticized Putin’s planned participation, holding the Russian president responsible for the full-scale war against Ukraine. They argued that allowing Putin to attend the summit on U.S. soil could legitimize a government they accuse of continuing attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
The signatories include prominent Republicans such as Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and Roger Wicker, as well as Democrats including Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal and Tim Kaine.
The senators also pointed to existing U.S. sanctions against Putin and several members of his delegation, including Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
The lawmakers called on Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider the invitation, arguing that maintaining diplomatic pressure and Russia’s international isolation is necessary to encourage Moscow to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine
The letter highlights continuing divisions in Congress over Washington’s approach to Moscow as the possibility of Putin attending the G20 summit in Miami draws criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.